Stay Safe on Public Wi-Fi: What to know about “Honeypot” scams

By Jenny Leight, Business Strategy, Carefull

When you’re traveling or out and about, free Wi-Fi can feel like a welcome convenience. It helps you pass the time, check travel details, or look something up quickly. But in many places like airports, hotels, cafés, and tourist spots, there’s a growing scam that quietly targets people who just want to get online.

It’s called a Wi-Fi honeypot, and understanding it can help protect your personal information and financial accounts.

What Is a Wi-Fi Honeypot?

A Wi-Fi honeypot is a fake wireless network created to trick people into connecting. It often looks like the public Wi-Fi you’d expect to find at an airport, hotel, café, mall, or tourist spot, but behind the scenes it’s controlled by a scammer. They choose a name that sounds familiar or trustworthy, so you think it’s safe.

The biggest danger comes after you connect. Instead of your information going straight to the website or service you intended to use, it first goes through the scammer’s device. That means they may be able to quietly see what you’re doing – like the websites you visit, the passwords you type, or even your credit card information. They can sometimes direct you to fake websites or send pop-ups that look normal but are actually harmful.

You might see names like:

• “Airport_Free_WiFi”
• “HotelGuestNetwork”
• “CoffeeShop_Guest”
• “FREE_WIFI_4U”

Based on their names, these networks seem harmless, but may have been set up by someone nearby looking to intercept your information.

Why These Scams Matter: The numbers tell the story

Research from NordVPN, reported by TravelPulse, shows just how common these attacks are, especially for travelers:

• 25% of travelers have been hacked while using public Wi-Fi abroad
• 40% of people have had their information compromised on public Wi-Fi
• One in four Wi-Fi hotspots is vulnerable to attack
• 78% of travelers don’t use a VPN, which leaves their data exposed

These aren’t just statistics; they represent real people who connected to Wi-Fi during a layover or checked into a hotel, only to later discover fraudulent charges, account lockouts, or stolen identities.

How Do You Know If a Free Network Is Safe or Not?

You can’t always tell just by looking at the name of a Wi-Fi network, but there are warning signs that should give you pause:

• No password required. If anyone can join instantly, scammers can too.
• The name looks slightly “off.” Scammers use look-alike names like “Airport_FreeWiFi” or “HotelGuest-WIFI.” When in doubt, ask staff to confirm the exact spelling.
• It asks for personal information right away. A pop-up asking for your email, login, or other details may be part of the scam.
• Your device gives a security warning. Messages like “connection not private” or certificate errors are red flags.
• The connection feels unusually slow or unstable. A fake network may be routing all traffic through the scammer’s device.
• Staff can’t confirm the network name. If the person at the counter hesitates or seems unsure, don’t connect. A good rule of thumb: If you’re not completely certain the network belongs to the place you’re in, avoid using it for anything sensitive.

How to Protect Yourself on Public Wi-Fi

You don’t need to avoid public Wi-Fi altogether – just use it wisely.

1. Use your phone’s hotspot when possible. This creates a secure, private network you control.
2. Avoid financial or sensitive tasks on public networks. Don’t check bank accounts, transfer money, or log into important accounts.
3. Look for the “https” padlock in your browser. This indicates an encrypted connection on the website you’re visiting.
4. Turn off automatic Wi-Fi connections. This prevents your device from joining look-alike networks on its own.
5. Keep your device updated. Software updates often fix security gaps that scammers exploit.
6. Delete old Wi-Fi networks you no longer use. This prevents automatic reconnection later.
7. Use two-factor authentication (2FA). Even if a password is stolen, it can’t be used without the second verification step.

How Carefull Helps You Stay Protected

Staying safe online, especially while traveling, can feel overwhelming. Carefull is designed to support you by watching for unusual financial activity, detecting signs of fraud early, and helping you understand risks before they become problems. Travel with confidence, knowing Carefull is looking out for you and your financial safety wherever you go.

Connect with Carefull to learn more.